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Cheers wouldn't have 'survived' without Shelley Long's Diane, creators say

'Cheers' creators Glen and Les Charles say the sitcom would not have survived its first season without Shelley Long's Diane — which is why they felt 'sheer panic' when she departed in season 5.

John Ratzenberger as Cliff Clavin, Rhea Perlman as Carla LeBec, Roger Rees as Robin Colcord, Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe, Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane, Ted Danson as Sam Malone, Bebe Neuwirth as Dr. Lilith Sternin-Crane, Shelley Long as Diane Chambers, Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd, George Wendt as Norm Peterson on 'Cheers'.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty "Shelley really gave the first year or two or three the boost that Cheers needed, " Danson said. The Good Place alum admitted that he had to "learn so much" when the series began, but praised Harrelson — who joined the show in its third season — claiming he arrived "full-fledged." As for what became of Cheers in her wake, the sitcom ultimately introduced Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe in season 6 — though Glen insists she was never meant to serve as a straight-up Diane replacement.

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